Michael Young - The Franchise is finally starting to show signs of him coming out of his slump. Good, because the Rangers need him.
The Young Guns - Kam Loe followed up a very bad outing with a solid outing against the Blue Jays and Brandon McCarthy finally showed those Jack McDowell comparisons against the Jays on Friday. On a minor note (no pun intended), Eric Hurley is quietly dominating the Texas League.
The Bad
That God Damn Yankees Series - That was horrific, especially since the Rangers could have won the double header. But noooo. Stupid offense.
The Ugly
Kevin Millwood On The DL - Which means more Mike Wood action in the bullpen. Whoo!
The Top 30 Rangers Prospects In The System – Prospects That Fell Short
With Young Guns’ original prospect rankings now gone after the website underwent a makeover, and many of the Rangers’ prospects relatively unknown, I thought it would be good to step in and make a Top 30 Prospect Rankings, not only for the good bloggers here on FoxBlogs, but also online.
First, the legal stuff. Information has been gathered from Young Guns, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball, Baseball Prospectus, ESPN, and Baseball America.
Now, onto the prospects.
First off, here are the guys that didn’t hack it enough or just were buried far down enough that they didn’t make the top 30.
Arlington John “A.J.” Murray (LHP)
DOB: 3/17/1982
Drafted: 19th Round, 2000, Salt Lake Community College
2007 Club: Oklahoma (Triple A)
Height/Weight: 6-3/225
Bats/Throws: S/L
The Skinny: Murray was a fast riser in the Rangers’ system, reaching Frisco back in 2003 and going 10-4 with a 3.63 ERA. That’s where things went wrong, as Murray would miss about two seasons worth of playing time, thanks to surgery for a torn labrum in his shoulder and another shoulder injury triggered by a faulty delivery. Murray was average last year, but turned heads in camp. Murray was optioned to Triple A, where he’s been contributing as a reliever until he can regain his stamina as a starter.
Assets: Murray had solid stuff before he was snake bitten and he still has solid stuff now. Murray throws a high 80’s-low 90’s fastball that he pairs with a pair of solid breaking pitches, a curve and a changeup.
Negatives: Many wonder if Murray will ever be durable enough to last as a starter.
Projection: Medium, because of the injuries. Murray hasn’t had the amount of time needed to develop and as a result, he’s still got some projection on him as he works to get back to where he was.
In A Perfect World, He Is: A solid lefty starter, similar to Kenny Rogers.
2007 Course Of Action: Murray has been contributing as a solid left handed reliever for the Redhawks and is currently posting stellar numbers.
Jesse Ingram (RHP)
DOB: 4/21/1982
Drafted: 36th Round, 2003, California
2007 Club: Frisco (Double A)
Height/Weight: 6-1/200
Bats/Throws: R/R
The Skinny: A closer in college, Ingram was drafted by the Rangers back in 2004 after a breakout season and worked him in slowly. Ingram would lose 2005 to injury, but came back to post tolerable numbers in 2006 with Bakersfield and Frisco.
Assets: Ingram has excellent command over his pitches and he spots them well. His fastball tops out at 92-93 and his curve, slider and change are all solid pitches.
Negatives: None of Ingram’s pitches are above average or even explosive, leading many to doubt whether or not he’ll be even an impact middle reliever. Ingram’s dominance can possibly be placed on the fact that he was older than his age group. As a result, it’s hard to put much stock into him unless he dominates at a higher level. Also, when his command is off, Ingram gets into trouble very fast.
Projection: Low, unless Ingram learns another pitch that he’s able to turn into a filthy out pitch, like Rivera did when he learned that cutter.
In A Perfect World, He Is: A capable setup man
2007 Course Of Action: Ingram has returned to Frisco, where he's been a mixture of both good and bad in the closers role. He's going to have to get it together if he expects to earn a promotion to Oklahoma.
Drew Meyer (UTIL)
DOB: 8/29/1981
Drafted: 1st Round. 2002, South Carolina
2007 Club: Oklahoma (Triple A)
Height/Weight: 5-10/200
Bats/Throws: L/R
The Skinny: Meyer is best known as Grady Fuson’s greatest failure, as he was drafted far above where he should have been drafted and has been, well, a huge bust ever since, especially when you consider that Fuson passed on talents such as Nick Swisher, Scott Kazmir and Joe Blanton. Meyer has never justified his selection and has since rotted in the minors for the past couple of years. It also doesn’t speak volumes about him that he’s been exposed to the Rule V Draft and Designated For Assignment and wasn’t claimed.
Assets: Meyer’s best quality is that he’s able to play shortstop, second base, third base and has even taken some reps in centerfield. He’s also got some speed on the bases.
Negatives: The bat was never there and Meyer, who had a hitch in his swing in college, has never been able to adjust.
Projection: Low. Meyer looks like one of those players that will forever be fighting to be the 25th man on the roster.
In A Perfect World, He Is: A utlityman.
2007 Course Of Action: Meyer is currently in Oklahoma, where he’s been surprisingly average this year.
Luis Mendoza (RHP)
DOB: 10/31/1983
Signed: Mexico, 2001 (Red Sox)
2007 Club: Frisco (Double A)
Height/Weight: 6-3/180
Bats/Throws: L/R
The Skinny: Obtained from Boston for Bryan Corey (remember him), Mendoza is an interesting prospect, though an inconsistent one. He was god awful in seven starts in Frisco, going 2-4 with a 7.75 ERA. However, Mendoza had a solid season as the closer for Yaquis De Obregon in the Mexican League, going 4-2 with 4 saves and notching up an ERA of 3.05.
Assets: Mendoza wasn’t exactly dominating as a starter when he was with Boston, but he could be an intriguing bullpen arm in the future, especially with his stuff. He doesn’t have an overpowering fastball, but he’s got a solid breaking ball and a decent changeup, giving him a good arsenal to work with. However, his future as the next great Ranger reliever will be on hold, as I don’t think that the Rangers are done with him yet as possibly being a starter.
Negatives: As I said, Mendoza struggles with inconsistency and often times follows up exception outings with bad ones. He also may not have the staimina to remain a starter.
Projection: Medium. Mendoza is still young and really, I’m not sure how much work the Red Sox or the Rangers have put into him yet. I wondering if teaching him a sinker may help keep his career going.
In A Perfect World, He Is: A solid setup man
2007 Course Of Action: Mendoza has returned to Double A Frisco as the starter, where he’ll try and finish the year in Oklahoma. It’s not looking good at the moment, however.
Johan Yan (SS/3B)
DOB: 9/27/1984
Signed: 2006, Dominican Republic
2007 Club: AZL Rangers
Height/Weight: 6-3/185
Bats/Throws: R/R
The Skinny: Signed during the International Signing Period, Yan is an extremely toolsy player that can be a nice player at some point in his career.
Assets: Yan has several tools, including great range, a solid glove, speed, as well as the potential for power as he fills out. He also has the beginnings of some solid plate discipline.
Negatives: In spite of those tools, it’s also very possible not to make any use of them. Look at Joaquin Arias.
Projection: High. The Rangers feel that with time, Yan can become a solid major leaguer with experience and the right teaching.
In A Perfect World, He Is: A major leaguer
2007 Course Of Action: Yan will begin the season in the Dominican Summer League, with the potential of heading to Arizona, like fellow 2006 signee Fabio Castillo, if he does well.
Steve Murphy (LF)
DOB: 4/22/84
Drafted: 14th Round, 2005, Kansas State University
2007 Club: Frisco (Double A)
Height/Weight: 6-2/210
Bats/Throws: L/R
The Skinny: Murphy’s looking like he’s a late round gem. He was great in Bakersfield last year, hitting .283 with 19 home runs and 68 RBI’s. It’s surprising to see that he fell so far to the Rangers, but he’s making them look like geniuses because of his signing.
Assets: Murphy has some good tools, such as some power and a decent glove in the outfield and he’s a stolid player. He’#### for some power everywhere he’s been in the minors, but he’s also amassed a lot of strikeouts, which need to improve if he’s to advance.
Negatives: Murphy needs to improve his approach at the plate and get on base more, as he only drew 31 walks as opposed to his
Projection: Medium. Murphy is rising through the ranks and rapidly becoming a legitimate prospect.
In A Perfect World, He Is: A later in the order threat.
2007 Course Of Action: Murphy was promoted to Frisco, and thus far it doesn’t look like anything is holding him back. We’ll see how well he does in the Texas League later in the season.
Jake Blalock (LF)
DOB: 8/06/1983
Drafted: 2002, 5th Round, San Diego H.S. (Phillies)
2007 Club: Frisco (Double A)
Height/Weight: 6-3/215
Bats/Throws: R/R
The Skinny: Hank’s little brother, was originally drafted by the Phillies in 2002, but really he’s not the prospect that his brother was in the minors. Jake could return to prospect status with a solid year. He’s not the hitter that Hank was in the minors, and he only .266 with seven home runs and 41 RBIs in 376 games last season at Frisco. He doesn’t have the power that Hank does either, but if he can at least show some doubles power, get on base, along with working the count, he’s got a shot.
Assets: Jakes has some raw power and hes had some nice production down in the lower minors with the Phillies.
Negatives: Jake’s bat still needs a lot more improvement before he’s going to be considered a legitimate prospect. He lacks a strong arm, which limits him to left field, he has average speed and he’s not the greatest defender.
Projection: Medium. Mendoza is still young and really, I’m not sure how much work the Red Sox or the Rangers have put into him yet. I wondering if teaching him a sinker may help keep his career going.
In A Perfect World, He Is: A major league regular, but not a star.
2007 Course Of Action: Blalock the Younger began the year in High A Bakersfield, but has since earned a promotion to Double A Frisco, where he’s not doing so well.
Rangers Roundup – Nuggets Around The Leagues
Jamey Wright, on the DL since April 13, could also throw off a mound sometime soon. Earlier, I was hoping that Loe would be able to hold his own as the fifth starter, long enough to where the Rangers could cut Wright. Instead, Wright may get another shot, but one shot is all he’s probably going to get to prove that he’d be a slightly better option.
Hall of famer Nolan Ryan was in town last week to accept his DHL Hometown Hero Award. Ranger fans voted Ryan as the Rangers’ hometown hero for his contributions in the early 90’s to the club. As I have said earlier, Ryan is the reason why the Rangers did not relocate and why Rangers Ballpark In Arlington was built.
Two players obtained off of waivers, Ezequel Astacio (Astros) and Francisco Cruceta (Mariners), are doing fairly well down in Triple A Oklahoma. Astacio has not allowed a run in 13.2 innings and is currently sporting a perfect ERA with 17 strikeouts to 1 walk. Cruceta is currently a starter and is 1-0 with a 3.86 ERA. He’s got 22 strikeouts and 15 walks in 4 starters. Do I expect both kids to stay with the Rangers? No. Personally, I’d trade them both for something with more upside, as both Astacio is due to be moved into the rotation at some point, however, and it could be soon.
Joaquin Arias has returned to play DH in extended spring training, but he has still not been able to play the field. Arias hoped to make the team as a utilityman and was due to learn centerfield with instruction from first base coach Gary Pettis. The Rangers hope that Arias can get on the field at the end of the week.
An MRI exam on Taylor Teagarden, the Rangers’ top catching prospect who is currently on the DL at Class A Bakersfield, showed no tear or structural damage to his right elbow. That’s great news, as the Rangers feared that Teagarden may have re-injured the elbow he underwent Tommy John surgery on. Still, the Rangers are planning to rest and rehab and have not set a timetable for when he’ll return to action.
I'm a long time Texas Rangers fan who has come to love baseball as a whole. I recently began this blog as a way for me to showcase my opinions, provide some analysis, and hopefully entertain those who happen to stumble upon my little soapbox online. I'll toss in an NFL, College, or NBA nugget every now and then. Enjoy the posts everyone, and yes, getting a little love in a Deadspin post was probably the highlight of the year, blogwise.
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